Eighteen years ago, NBS set out with a clear mission to inform Ugandans through credible, impactful journalism. Today, that vision has grown into one of the country's leading multimedia brands, reaching millions of people across television, radio, digital platforms and streaming.
On Friday, July 10, we welcomed employees, former employees, Board members, partners, regulators, collaborators and friends to the #NextMediaPark as we celebrated NBS's 18th anniversary. It was a day filled with gratitude, reflection and excitement for the future.
The celebration crowned a memorable week that began on July 3, when we invited some of the familiar faces who helped shape the NBS story to return to the screens they once called home. Throughout the week, viewers reconnected with presenters including Solomon Serwanjja, Rukh Shana Kitaka, Mable Twegumye, Sheilla Nduhukire, Daniel Katabira, Zambali Bulasio Mukasa, Joyce Bagala, Hatmah Ssekaaya, Charles Odongtho, Natalia Ozie, Bukyana Julius, Muyanga Lutaaya and many others as they hosted the programmes that became part of Uganda's television history.
Their return became one of the defining moments of our anniversary celebrations, bringing together different generations of audiences while reminding us that the NBS story has always been written by people whose passion and dedication continue to inspire.
During the anniversary celebration, we recognised the former Transformers who returned to celebrate with us, long-serving employees whose commitment has shaped our journey, and the outstanding teams whose creativity and dedication made the #NBSAt18 campaign a remarkable success.
Speaking during the celebration, our Group CEO, Kin Kariisa, thanked everyone who has contributed to the NBS journey over the past 18 years.
"The story of these 18 years cannot be told without the people who started the chapters. Thank you to our partners, regulators, collaborators and everyone who believed in this vision and chose to walk with us."
He also expressed appreciation to the former Transformers who returned to mark the milestone.
"This is your home. Whenever you have a project or something exciting, come back and let's do it together. We are proud of you, we treasure you and we will always support you."
Reflecting on the impact of the anniversary week, Kariisa noted that the return of the former presenters created memorable television that resonated with audiences across the country.
"This week alone, because of these incredible people, we reached more than 16 million people. We disrupted the market, and I thank every one of them for making this celebration special."
Looking ahead, he reaffirmed our ambition to continue leading through innovation, technology and talent.
"We have some of the best media technology on the continent, including AI-driven virtual reality studios. The next five years are going to be phenomenal as we continue our journey to conquer Africa."
Our Chairman of the Board, Charles Baguma, applauded the resilience and teamwork that have defined our journey over the past 18 years.
"It has been a long journey built on hard work, commitment and teamwork. The strong relationship between the Board and management has helped build the systems, infrastructure and resilience that have brought us this far."
He also recognised the former employees who returned to celebrate the milestone, describing them as an important part of the organisation's history.
"We appreciate those who planted the early seeds and have returned to give back. Their contribution continues to inspire the next generation."
The celebration also provided an opportunity to recognise our partners and collaborators whose trust and support have contributed to our growth over the years. Their continued belief in our vision has enabled us to tell stories that inform, inspire and connect communities across Uganda.
As we celebrated this milestone, our focus remained firmly on the future. The past 18 years have been defined by trusted journalism, innovation and purposeful storytelling. The years ahead present even greater opportunities to grow our impact across television, radio, streaming and digital platforms.
Above all, our 18th anniversary was a celebration of people. From the pioneers who helped build NBS, to today's Transformers, our partners and the audiences who continue to choose us every day, each has played a role in shaping the journey.
As we begin our next chapter, we remain committed to telling stories that matter, embracing innovation and serving our audiences with the excellence that has defined NBS for the past 18 years. The best chapters of our story are still ahead.
